Canucks vs. Kings Betting & Handicapping Preview – Nov. 12

Vancouver Canucks at L.A. Kings

A Western Conference Heavyweight showdown takes place on Thursday night when the Vancouver Canucks, fresh off an impressive 6-2 win over the Chicago Blackhawks take on the Los Angeles Kings who snapped a five game losing streak with a 4-3 win over the Predators on Tuesday.

It is matchup of two of the more inconsistent teams in the Western Conference.

Vancouver has been one of the more maddening teams in the NHL so far this season – so good one game and so bad the next.

But they have won three of their last five games and are coming off their most impressive win of the season in a game that they got goals from six different players, five power-play goals, and a great game from Roberto Luongo, who made 38 saves for his fifth win of the season.

Offense shouldn’t be a problem for the Canucks. They are averaging 3.00 goals per game. Henrik Sedin has 2 goals and 5 assists over his last five games and Daniel is matching him point for point.

Vancouver’s defense has been an issue but has shown signs of coming around lately. The defense is deep and strong and won’t be held down for long. Roberto Luongo has also been strong as of late which helps out the defense immensely.

The Los Angeles Kings started the season like a house on fire – 6-2-1 but lost five straight games before their win on Tuesday night. With names like Mike Richards, Simon Gagne and Anze Kopitar on the roster, it is no wonder they are a sexy pick to win the Pacific!

Strangely, the Kings are just 25th in scoring and have totaled more than three goals just three times in 15 games. Anze Kopitar has put up points in five of his last seven games for the Kings and Dustin Penner finally snapped his nine game pointless drought with two assists on Tuesday.

Like the Canucks, the Kings are a strong team that can’t be held down for too long.

For Los Angeles, this season has been all about defense and goaltending – something that will come in handy on Thursday night. They are fifth in the NHL in goals against average (2.27 per game) and Jonathan Quick is 6-3-3 with a superb 1.87 goals against average and a .963 save percentage.

Dave’s Free Canucks Betting Prediction:

Vancouver has been insanely inconsistent this season and unfortunately if the pattern holds true, it is their turn to lose! Alex Burrows and Sami Salo are questionable for Thursday night’s game which is huge for this team.

Expect the Kings defense to show up and stifle the Canucks in a highly contested game on Thursday. Take the Kings on home ice!

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Dave B is from Beautiful BC. A Fantasy Football writer for 10+ years. A gambler, and a sucker for an early Vegas line. Loves to bet on the NHL, and NFL. A couch potato wannabe, BC Lions, Canucks, & Seahawks fan. Hope’s for world peace + global relaxation.Email: DaveB@NWSportsBeat.comDave B On TwitterLike Something I wrote? Hate it? Hit me back today I want to hear from you!